Daily commutes by means of a vehicle, to work and back home, may have declined during the pandemic — but those numbers are on the rise again.
A survey conducted for the British Columbia Automobile Association by Leger shows that more drivers in British Columbia will be commuting to work this September; 35 per cent of respondents said they will be working from the office this month more often than they did this time last year.
“After a relatively quiet summer with plenty of vacation time, everyone’s a bit rusty,” said Shawn Pettipas, BCAA’s Director of Community Engagement, in a statement.
In a news release, Pettipas said he was concerned about how the increase in traffic during the back-to-school period will result in unsafe conditions. “It’s a shock to the system heading back to the regular routine after the summer and no one is their best driving selves at the beginning of September,” he said.
Based on the survey, 90 per cent of commuters expect to deal with impatient and aggressive drivers. Eighty-nine per cent are anticipating more distracted driving and multitasking. And 78 per cent of drivers expect to be on the road longer. At the same time, 52 per cent of respondents note that they cannot do anything about the situation other than experience a sense of frustration.
“I understand that people feel powerless, but there are things that every driver can do before and during their commute to minimize stress and have a smoother trip,” said Pettipas in a statement.
The findings of the survey are also a good reminder for dealers to go over certain vehicle technology with consumers that can help alleviate stress and help them plan their commute to the office.
